Construction mags - some advice?

[bad_roo]

I'm building a deck in my back garden at the moment.

I've bought a bunch of decking joists for the frame and they measure 144mm x 47mm x 2.4m. The trouble I'm having is finding joist hangers to fit the fuckers. I can find 150mm and 175mm deep joist hangers. Should I buy the 150mm ones and shim them with something so they fit or is this a dumb idea?

Cheers.

[lemon boy]

INCHES BITCH!
Learn em
Use em
Love em

Cause you ain't never gonna build nothing that lasts with such a pissyant measurement system.

[Arty50]

I'm building a deck in my back garden at the moment.

I've bought a bunch of decking joists for the frame and they measure 144mm x 47mm x 2.4m. The trouble I'm having is finding joist hangers to fit the fuckers. I can find 150mm and 175mm deep joist hangers. Should I buy the 150mm ones and shim them with something so they fit or is this a dumb idea?

Cheers.

Are you sure the 150mm hanger isn't really 144mm? It could be like a 2x4 in the states. For those of you who use a real measuring system, a 2x4 is a board with a cross section that measures 2 inches x 4 inches. Only a modern 2x4 is more like a 1.5 x 3.5. Fucking cheap ass lumber companies.

[DJSapp]

I'm building a deck in my back garden at the moment.

I've bought a bunch of decking joists for the frame and they measure 6" x 2" x 8'. The trouble I'm having is finding joist hangers to fit the fuckers. I can find 6" and 7" deep joist hangers. Should I buy the 6" ones and shim them with something so they fit or is this a dumb idea?

Cheers.

'mercanized for ya. Yes, go with the 150mm joist hangers and just hammer them tight, they will bend the 1/4". Wood is sized so that a 2" x 6" (51mm x 152mm) really measures 1.75" x 5.5" (44mm x 140mm).

And seriously, who uses metric?

[Snow Dog]

Are you sure the 150mm hanger isn't really 144mm? It could be like a 2x4 in the states. For those of you who use a real measuring system, a 2x4 is a board with a cross section that measures 2 inches x 4 inches. Only a modern 2x4 is more like a 1.5 x 3.5. Fucking cheap ass lumber companies.

Having spend some of my youth cutting up old growth trees, a 2x4 refers to the rough cut dimension, before it goes through the planer. In the good old days construction lumber was unplaned so a 2x4 was 2" by 4". After planing it's 1.5" by 3.5".

[strawjack]

Having spend some of my youth cutting up old growth trees, a 2x4 refers to the rough cut dimension, before it goes through the planer. In the good old days construction lumber was unplaned so a 2x4 was 2" by 4". After planing it's 1.5" by 3.5".

the good old days still exist. rough sawn lumber is readily available at good local lumber yards. not the HD shits of the world!

if your running joists make sure they're big enough!!! 2x4 or 2x6 is pretty bouncy for a floor! run w/ at least a 2x8 depending on span of course.

[bad_roo]

'mercanized for ya. Yes, go with the 150mm joist hangers and just hammer them tight, they will bend the 1/4".

I like this suggestion. It involves hitting things.

[DJSapp]

Just make sure you use the proper hammer. I'm sure we can debate this point for a couple hours.

[bad_roo]

I don't know whether to use the Estwing, the Plumb or the trusty Draper.

[XtrPickels]

swing that estwing with authority

[strawjack]

swing that estwing with authority

wow! bozeman recommending an eastswing! don't you guys use wood handles only!

[Snow Dog]

I don't know whether to use the Estwing, the Plumb or the trusty Draper.

Go with the Estwing framing hammer. And don't choke up on the handle.

[PNWbrit]

I think a nail gun would be appropriate and will make the TR far more entertaining.

[DJSapp]

I think a nail gun would be appropriate and will make the TR far more entertaining.

I'm pretty sure that would violate Roo's parole.

[BakerBoy]

Just don't use Vinman's pussy ass Estwing. Think outside the box, and use a palm nailer.

[Viva]

Just don't use Vinman's pussy ass Estwing.

Hows abouts one of these? May be a little too manly for Roo, however.

[irul&ublo]

Dead-On Ti framing Hammer, carbon fiber handle. Only $299.95

[TWINS]

Hows abouts one of these? May be a little too manly for Roo, however.

Not to many framers using that weapon on my jobs.Looks like a 32oz which takes huge stones to swing all day.Go to Home Depot and get a pussy hammer like my 24oz framer with the curved handle.

[rugbydave]

get a Stiletto, best hammer for the money that you can buy... and are you really talking about 2x6 as a floor joist? 2x8 bare minimum...

[BakerBoy]

I have yet to find a single tool from Dead-On that I find acceptable walking out of the store with. Their stuff is crap, IMO. The swing weights on the hammers are especially bad.

rugydave: The only Stiletto's worth a damn are the Ti-bone's, and the only thing you should be doing with them is framing. Definitely a quiver hammer.

[Steven S. Dallas]

May be a little too manly for Roo, however.

Does Carhartt make a capri length?

[G]

I don't know whether to use the Estwing, the Plumb or the trusty Draper.

They're all good, as long as you get a metric hammer.

[GheePup]

Roo, I sure hope you are not spanning more than about 1.8 meters with those joists. Even that is pushing it. I hope you are building a narrow deck with those joists.

As far as hangers go, you should be able to ask the people in the lumber yard what size hanger you need for the particular joist you are using. If they don't stock it they should be able to get the correct size hangers within at most a week. If not then they suck!

If you can't wait that long and need to use a bigger hanger then just cut the top off with a reciprocating saw or a circular saw fitted with a metal blade. Its kinda fun to watch the sparks fly but you might wanna wear eye protection because metal shavings lodged in your eyeballs are no fun. Trust me.

You can fold the top of the hanger over by beating on it with a hammer if that sounds like more fun or you don't feel like spending a few bucks on a metal blade. However, bending the top of the hanger over the top of the joist is not very clean and can cause the deck boards to lay a little uneven over the hangers compared to the ones layed on just the joists.

Anyway, if you want to wail on shit with a nice framing hammer I would suggest getting a 23oz Vaughan California framing hammer. It has a nice big fat head. Extremely good for tatooing your fingers...er...I mean nails with. Get a wood handle unless you plan on making a lot of mistakes and have to pull a lot of nails. I like a straight handle but you should get what feels good in your hand.

If you are left handed you should be sure to ask the hardware store to see their selection of left handed hammers since they usually do not keep them out on the floor.

I am looking forward to a TR of your black and blue fingernails. Teco guns are the shit when it comes to hangers.

[GheePup]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Wear some fuckin' Carhartt's while you are building this deck!

Do us carpenters proud and wear some Carhartt's during your next test drive of some exotic sports car. I am sure those pics would turn on at least one maggette.

Edit: Well, maybe the Carhartt vehicle test drive should be more along the lines of big and beefy work trucks?

[TWINS]

23oz Vaughan California framing hammer.My beater of choice.But I change out the handle for the curved style.Works good for lightweight work.